News & Analysis

Week 6 Football Fun Facts

By casheatl &bullet;
Oct 17, 2013

-The Green Bay Packers had a rough Week 6. Already playing without OLB Clay Matthews as well as ILB Brad Jones on the defensive side of the ball they took hits to the offensive side of the ball on Sunday. First they lost WR James Jones to what they believe to be a PCL sprain in his knee, early in the first quarter. Jones appears to be headed to a game decision in Week 7. Then the Packers lost their best wide receiver, Randall Cobb, in the second quarter after he took a helmet to the knee. Cobb has since been placed on injured reserve/designated to return and can’t practice for six weeks.

-After playing six snaps in Week five, Packer WR Jarrett Boykin had to step up and play 58 snaps in Week 6 due to those in game injuries. Green Bay had problems moving the ball all game, finishing with a season low 19 points after coming into the game averaging 29.5 per contest. Aaron Rodgers finished Week 6 with his second lowest PFF passing grade of the season (-0.7) Boykin is now slated to play in three-receiver sets and may have to start if Jones cannot go.

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-But don’t automatically assume that Cobb’s targets will go to Boykin. Over 40% of TE Jermichael Finley’s snaps have come as a blocking lineman. Look for that to decrease and for him to go back to being more of a wide receiver again. Going into last season, Finley’s camp argued that if the Packers were to franchise Finley, it should be as receiver, because that is what he essentially was. Something that PFF’s Neil Hornsby also made an argument for at that time.

-So look for more two tight end sets from Green Bay and more passes to Finley as a receiver. And with shut down corner Joe Haden coming to town, maybe even more touches for RB Eddie Lacy.

-Now back to the Green Bay defense. A.J. Hawk owners were the beneficiary of the Packer Week 6 linebacker injuries as Hawk was credited with 3.0 sacks, ten tackles (eight solo) and a pass defended. OLB Nick Perry continued to pick up his play since the injuries and was credited with a sack a forced fumble and five tackles (three solo.) Unfortunately, word out of Wisconsin is that Perry may have a broken foot that would cause him to miss time.

-For those of you who picked up Chicago SLB James Anderson recently don’t drop him just yet. Bears MLB D.J. Williams is done for the season with a torn left pectoral muscle. As everyone knows, WLB Lance Briggs is the every down linebacker to own in Chicago’s 4-3 defense. The other linebacker snaps are divided up by others in various sub-packages. In Week 6 Anderson played 39 snaps while Williams played 22. With Williams on the shelf that number could rise. Rookie Jon Bostic should take over at the MIKE as a two-down player who exits the field on passing downs.

-MLB Jon Beason had quite the debut for the Giants. Playing the MIKE in the Giants 4-3 he stayed on the field to play in the nickel and was credited with 12 tackles (11 solo.) He graded out (+2.9) against the run. Beason and the Giants host Adrian Peterson and the Vikings on Monday night.

-Lost in the commotion over Beason’s debut is the guy who helped make him expendable in Charlotte, Panthers SLB James Anderson. Anderson had an even better day than Beason, being credited with 2.0 sacks, nine tackles (eight solo) and a pass defended. Anderson has a PFF grade of (+4.2) for the season and seems to be available in multiple leagues.

-Last season Eli Manning led the league in least amount of sacks taken among quarterbacks with over 900 snaps. After throwing three interceptions in New York’s Week 6 loss to the Bears, Manning is now on pace for 40 picks. In fact, the 17 Manning turnovers (15 interceptions and two lost fumbles) would lead all teams. Yes you read that correctly. If Eli were a team he would lead the NFL in turnovers all by himself. Arizona would be in second place with 15 turnovers.

Ashe started his writing career at the now defunct CNNSI in Atlanta. He moved on to CNN Domestic where he joined his first fantasy football league. He writes about sports and politics when he isn’t checking the waiver wire.